Malvern Hills Trust urges dog owners to control pets around grazing sheep
Malvern:
Recently, there have been issues with dogs bothering sheep on the Malvern Hills. The Malvern Hills Trust is asking dog walkers to be more mindful. They want everyone to enjoy the area while keeping the sheep safe.
The trust uses sheep to help manage the land and keep it healthy. This year, there have been four reported cases of dogs chasing or harassing sheep. These incidents happened on different hills in the area.
On January 7, a sheep was chased from North Hill to End Hill. The next day, another sheep was chased from Jubilee Hill to East Pinnacle. On January 16, a dog harassed a sheep on North Hill. Then, on January 19, sheep were chased from North Hill to Happy Valley.
To protect the sheep, the trust asks dog owners to keep their pets on short leads. It’s important to keep a safe distance from the sheep to avoid stressing them out. Stress can be harmful to sheep, and the trust wants to prevent any issues.
A spokesperson for the trust emphasized the need for everyone to share the landscape. They highlighted the importance of coexistence for the health of the land and its animals. The trust’s graziers work hard to keep the sheep healthy and manage their grazing.
If you see any incidents involving livestock, please report them. You can contact the trust or call the police if needed. Keeping our local wildlife safe is a shared responsibility.
